Austria

Ant Antic “Wealth”

Whirling, interwoven sound patterns, a trembling voice, and deep, thumping basses: Ant Antic has produced a small masterpiece with their release “Wealth.”

The songs are constantly digging their way into the consciousness, always amaze with sounds that were not yet known in the art-pop context.

Marco Kleebauer and Tobias Koett, the duo behind Ant Antic, were also involved in other projects. Tobias in an indie-band called Clains, and Marco produces music for his own electronic projects – Leyya and Karma Art.

Dives “Dives” EP

Which girl does not want to be part of a girlband? And of course, if you have the choice, it must be the coolest band of all. The coolest band of all currently is called “Dives” and has made a self-titled mini-album, which makes every guitar dream come true.

Determined, loud and unstoppable, they rush with speed and quality straight to the garage pop rock olymp. This memorable tunes on summery guitar riffs should be part of every good record collection.

Garish “Komm Schwarzer Kater”

They are like an institution in the Austrian music scene: “Garish”. Since 20 years they are not getting tired when it comes to producing albums. “Komm Schwarzer Kater” is their 7th album which was released in February.

Well-known text fragments in their very own metaphoric language meet new sound gimmicks in some parts of their songs.

But most of the time, they are like everybody likes them: a little bit vintage, but nethertheless extremly cool. They are the Heroes, you always looked for.

HVOB “Silk”

“Her Voice over Boys” or “HVOB”, as they are most known, are a producer duo who travel around the world with a live drummer to perform in exotic locations.

Their kind of electronic music captivates you automatically and deliberately uses soft voices. On “Silk” you can hear not only singer Anna Müller but also Winston Marshall, who is known by Mumford and Sons. He perfectly embeds himself in the smooth, electronic sounds. A beautiful, swooping album.

Onk Lou “Bogus”

A blast of positivity sweeps you through when you are listening to Onk Lou’s “Bogus”.

It’s the perfect, harmonic pop album (and his very first one!) which guides you softly through your day or your evening. It’s like the hand which always grabs you, so that you don’t get lost. It’s like a warm hug.

Onk Lou is the bearded guy, who always have a charming smile on his face, who always tells you beautiful stories and who always will help you through your darkest days.

Paul Plut “Lieder vom Tanzen und Sterben”

This record is dark, somber and yet radiates a certain amount of warmth. “Paul Plut” has surpassed himself with his solo debut “Lieder vom Tanzen und Sterben” (which means “Songs of Dancing and Dying”).

Tense music that clings on and does not let you go, that makes you sad and hard to breathe. But hope can also be found in some songs. It is this kind of hope that comforts you after you’ve burst into tears. It has become a liberating album, and one of the most intense ever.